Laptop Update + New Eee PC March 6, 2008
Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Uncategorized, personal , add a comment
No, I haven’t bought one (yet). I notice Ollie has now pre-ordered another interesting mini laptop though - the Elonex One. However, I got really excited when I saw the machine on the left - this is the new Asus EeePC sporting - wait for it - a 9″ screen, with 1024 x 600 resolution.
There’s no word yet on when exactly it’ll be available in the UK, but industry sites and magazines seem to suggest around June - perfect for the summer hols.
Prices are expected to be around the £300 mark, making it around £80-£100 more expensive than present models. However, as well as the larger screen you are also likely to get a larger 12GB SSD and 1GB RAM for your money. Now for the bad (?) bit - Microsoft helped launch the new EeePC as it will come with Windows XP preinstalled, as well as Microsoft Works for office tasks, and Microsoft Live services for the web-end of things. No word on whether you will be able to buy a linux version only (thus saving some money). I suspect not.
I suspect I will be ordering one of these as soon as they come out - unless something even better comes along in this fast-moving area. Better start saving!
http://eeepc.asus.com/global/news03042008.htm
Google does it again? March 3, 2008
Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized , add a comment
I spotted this on the PCW website today - google are releasing an online web authoring package as part of their online apps. Not had a chance to try it out yet, but it looks like an interesting tool for collaborating with classes. Might just brighten up revision in the run up to the exams!
If anyone gets a chance to try it out before I do, drop me a line and let me know how it goes.
The PCW article is available here, and google sites is available here.
New Laptop February 14, 2008
Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, East Lothian Council, Subject Support , add a commentI’m currently in the market for a new laptop, which is proving more difficult that I imagined! I need something lightweight for taking to and from work (and using with my other work for BASP), with decent specs for using graphics, video and sound packages, and also reliable. Seems a tall order. My options seem to be:
- Buy a new PC Laptop.
Pros: I know my way around them, wide variety of choice, will run all the apps I use.
Cons: Windows Vistargh (does anyone actually like this horrible OS?), cheaper portables seem to break easily. - Buy an Ibook.
Pros: It’s an apple. It just works, and doesn’t mean enduring Vistargh. Reliable. Dual boots if I really want it to
Cons: Spec could be better for price, not as familiar with OSX . - Buy an Asus EeePC.
The ‘dark horse’ of my options. I really like the concept of the EeePC. It’s lightweight (tick), runs XP or linux (tick), reasonable specs for mobile computing (tick), costs hee-haw (tick). However, I’ve always been very concerned about the screen size. Storage isn’t a worry - USB pen drives cost so little, and even portable hard drives are a good option now.
As a result, I’m nipping over to MGS to see Robin Strain today, who’s the proud owner of one of these devices, to have a closer look and work out just how usable it is. I do fear though that Asus have made the perfect mobile computer but just skimped on the screen. If only the rumours about a forthcoming 10″ version were to be confirmed, I think we would have a winner.
Comments and thoughts very welcome! (anyone know a good mobile laptop!)
Subject Promotion posters January 24, 2008
Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Dunbar Grammar, East Lothian Council, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , 2commentsNow that course choices are starting to get nearer I have decided to make up some flyers/posters this year to promote the subject. I’ve posted the PDFs below if anyone wants to use them - I can send the MS publisher files on request if you wish to adapt them.
Happy selling :-)
- compspotting.pdf (with apologies to geography, ollie!)
- compspottinga4.pdf
- ipod.pdf
- telephone.pdf
- wii.pdf
My $0.02! November 28, 2007
Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , 5commentsAs I mentioned below, I have written a letter to the TESS following up on the article about Computing Science Inside. In the letter I (try to!) outline what I feel is a big problem with Computing right now - the misunderstanding at all levels as to what the subject is actually about. Comments very welcome as always, I’ve got the asbestos suit on!
“I was very pleased to read your article about “Computing Science Inside” in last week’s TESS. I am a self-confessed convert of Dr Cutts’ refreshing work.
I did feel however that the article only touched on what is perhaps a real problem facing Computing in Scotland: a lack of understanding of what the subject is actually about. It’s not just the fact that “…we are becoming a nation of tool users, not tool builders…” but also the case that the two areas – ICT skills and Computer Science – are seen as one and the same by those who are responsible for the curriculum.
For several years now, there has been a great focus on developing ICT use amongst staff and pupils; the so-called “digital literacy” that enables people to communicate and make use of the technology. Unfortunately, what this has not addressed is a real need to foster “digital creativity,” i.e. the ability to understand and further develop the technology. This is what really matters to businesses, giving them the ability to develop new IT products and maintain a technological advantage.
This confusion of ‘true’ Computing with ICT skills has led to the typical situation in many schools around the country where Computing is taught in the first and second years as part of a general ICT course. The normal topics are based around application use and the time is shared between two or even more departments. Some pupils don’t even see a Computing department until Standard Grade! Ultimately, Computing has lost it’s identity as a distinct – and scientific – subject.
On this problem though the ball is firmly in our court: Computing teachers must reassert this lost identity, and CPD such as that offered by the “Computing Science Inside” project is a step in the right direction. What would also be a positive step would be for national subject promotion and development opportunities: several subjects already have this to varying degrees.
If Computing is to develop in schools and the decline in students applying to study at universities is to be reversed, it is vital we promote the difference between IT and Computing. Senior Management and Local Authorities can help us too: they must take on board this crucial difference and give Computing its’ rightful place in the curriculum.”
Computing Science inside… November 27, 2007
Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, East Lothian Council, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , add a comment 
It was great to see the Computing Science inside… project get some much deserved publicity in TES this week. I think the article conveyed the real usefulness of these sessions well. I’m going to be working on a letter to the TES regarding the situation in Computing (as I see it anyway!) which I’ll share on here when it’s finished. Who knows, they might even publish it :-)
Quick reminder too - the next CSI session that Edinburgh Uni are holding is on the 11th December. Full details are available from me, or by contacting Raymond Simpson (Edinburgh Lead Teacher). Hope to see some more of you there! Further details are in my previous post if you need them.
SQA past papers November 27, 2007
Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized , add a commentJust in case you missed the post on Ollie’s blog, past papers for 2007 are being made available on the SQA website. You can access them here.
As per previous years, the Marking Instructions are also available in the subject areas. This is certainly a development I firmly approve of! (For computing teachers, I’ve put copies of them into the shared drive.)
Enjoy, and happy revising!
CS Inside workshop October 25, 2007
Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , 1 comment so far
I was one of two teachers from East Lothian (the other being Emma Webster from PL) who attended the CS Inside workshop at Edinburgh Uni’s School of Informatics last night.
I’d first learned about CS Inside at the Future of Computing conference in May, and have been keen ever since to try out some of the ideas. Broadly speaking, the CS Inside project is an attempt to convey important Computing Science concepts in fun ways in the classroom. Computers are not required, and pupils learn about the concepts through role-plays and games that link back to the core concept you are teaching.
Our first challenge of the evening was to design and implement a simple communications protocol, Under the auspices of governers in an ancient city sending massages to each other on stone tablets. Of course, only a certain number of words can be etched on a tablet, and the slaves who deliver them can be notoriously unreliable!
In a room of 13 computing teachers no one actually managed to get a message transmitted, which is of course quite concerning! However, good fun and an excellent example of how something relatively dull like communications protocols can be made more interesting with some imagination. What’s more, all of the resources needed, lesson plans, and powerpoints are downloadable from the CS Inside Website. Great for busy teachers!
The second workshop was aiming to demonstrate what algorithms were using the idea of trying to write down instructions for drawing a mystery shape and getting another person to follow them. Unfortunately I was unable to complete this workshop as I had to leave for the long drive home, but again this idea showed great promise and interest.
In short, I’d thoroughly encourage all Computing Teachers to try and get to some of these sessions. The next ones are on the 11th December, 16th January and 21st February at 4:30pm Appleton Tower. Raymond Simpson, Lead Teacher at Edinburgh City Council is co-ordinating them, so you should contact him to ‘book’ your place (free!) raymond.simpson@queensferry.edin.sch.uk
I really should finish by saying a big Thankyou to Morna Findlay at the School of Informatics for hosting the event at Edinburgh. The CS Inside team are also hosting similar events through in Glasgow, and are happy to come into schools/authorities to hold sessions on demand. The wine was lovely too - you don’t get that at an East Lothian CPD session!!!
Woo-hoo - time to post! September 27, 2007
Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Uncategorized , add a commentThought I’d just put this link up quickly - for those looking for a summary of current IT tools for learning, this site might be of use: http://c4lpt.co.uk/recommended/top100.html
There is also a report available in PDF form.
Don’t think it’s the most authoritative list on the net, but nevertheless a good summary. You could also try out the more famous Kineo document “50 ideas for free e-learning” too.
Future of Computing Education, an interlude, and today’s news… June 15, 2007
Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , add a commentHi folks,
Haven’t disappeared off the face of the earth (yet) Just very busy. The second day’s notes from the conference will be up shortly, I promise!
Interesting articles today in Computing magazine - The front page leads with ‘Employers want IT graduates with business skills‘ Also inside is ‘China hot on UK skills’ Heels’.
Finally the editorial this week - ‘A balance needs to be struck‘. I certainly think these articles are very relevant to our thoughts on the future of Computing education in Scotland.